Shooting Garment

ABSTRACT

A shooting garment apparatus is provided including a first pad configured to cover a first area of a garment wearer, a second pad configured to cover a second area of the garment wearer, a first strap member configured to circumferentially secure the garment to the torso of the wearer, and a second strap member configured to secure the second pad to the arm of the wearer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to shooting garments and, more particularly, is related to padded shooting garments.

BACKGROUND

Operation of firearms, when not braced against the shoulder of the shooter often results in discomfort and bruising. This can be especially painful when operating high powered firearms and/or during sustained use.

Current approaches, such as shooting pads for the shoulder, are of limited use when the shooter does not have time to brace stock of the firearm prior to shooting in the padded shoulder area. The operator may not brace the stock of the firearm for a variety of reasons when hunting or shooting, as the operator may need to rapidly transition the firearm from a non-shooting position to a shooting position. There are heretofore unaddressed needs with previous solutions.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide Shooting Garments. Briefly described, in architecture, one example embodiment of the garment, among others, includes a first pad configured to cover a first area of a garment wearer, a second pad configured to cover a second area of the garment wearer, a first strap member configured to circumferentially secure the garment to the torso of the wearer, and a second strap member configured to secure the second pad to the arm of the wearer.

Alternate embodiments of the present disclosure can also be viewed as providing shooting garments. In this regard, one embodiment of such an apparatus, among others, can be broadly summarized by providing a first pad configured to cover a first area of a garment wearer, a second pad configured to cover a second area of the garment wearer wherein the first pad is hingably connected to the second pad, a first strap member configured to circumferentially secure the garment to the torso of the wearer, a fastener connected to the first strap member configured to releasably connect a first and second end of the first strap member, and a second strap member configured to secure the second pad to the arm of the wearer.

According to still yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, example embodiments of the present disclosure for providing a shooting garment for absorbing the shock of shooting for a wearer comprising, a front portion with respect to the wearer wherein the front portion includes a first padded area configured to cover at least a portion of the shoulder of the wearer and a second padded area configured to cover at least a portion of arm of the wearer, a rear portion with respect to the wearer wherein the rear portion is configured to extend partially down the back of the wearer, a first strap member configured to substantially circumferentially secure the front and rear portions of the garment around the torso of the wearer, and a second strap member configured to secure the second padded area to the arm of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a shooting garment in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a shooting garment in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a shooting garment in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear sectional view of an example embodiment of the shooting garment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.

It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact.

In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a shooting garment in accordance with the present disclosure. The front of shooting garment 10 includes a first padded region 12 and a second padded region 14. First padded region 12 is configured to cover at least a portion of the shoulder of the wearer. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first padded region 12 covers at least a portion of the shoulder and extends to at least a portion of the breast of the wearer. Second padded region 14 is configured to cover at least a portion of the upper arm area of the wearer. An arm strap member 16 secures the second padded region 14 to the arm of the wearer.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first padded region 12 covers at least a portion of the shoulder and extends to at least a portion of the breast of the wearer. A first end of torso strap 18 is attached to a first lower portion of the garment 10 and circumferentially surrounds the torso of the wearer where the second end of the torso strap 20 is removably connected via fastener 22 to a second lower portion of the garment 10. While fastener 22 as shown in FIG. 1 is a buckle type, it will be appreciated that many types of fasteners may be used including but not limited to clasps, hook and loop, magnets, clips, snaps, and knots.

The garment 10 may be adjusted to fit the wearer by adjusting strap members 16, 18, and 20 as desired. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, strap members 14, 16, 18 and 20 are comprised of nylon webbing. It will be appreciated that strap members 14, 16, 18 and 20 may be comprised of one or more materials including but not limited to elastic, neoprene, nylon, leather, and hook and loop fasteners. In one embodiment, the outer covering of padded portions 12 and 14 are comprised of a water resistant nylon material. It will be appreciated that many materials may be used for outer covering including but not limited to as ballistic nylon, leather, suede, canvas, and the like.

According to one embodiment, padded regions 12 and 14 define an envelope having a recess adapted to receivably retain a force or shock absorbent material within. It will be appreciated that many material types may be used or combined to form first 12 and second 14 padded regions including felt, moleskin, lamb's wool, air bladders, foam, and gels. Foam padding may include open and closed cell foams including polyurethane, polyethylene, neoprene, latex, rubber, and memory. Gels may include a ballistic or shock gel such as viscoelastic polymer gel. While the same material may be used in first 12 and second 14 padded regions, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that different materials may be used. For example, one material, such as a gel may be used in first padded region 12 and a second material, such as foam may be used in second padded region 14. Additionally, it will be appreciated that different material thicknesses may be used for each of first 12 and second 14 padded areas as well.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a shooting garment in accordance with the present disclosure. The front of shooting garment 10 includes a padded region 24 configured to cover at least a portion of the shoulder and at least a portion of the upper arm area of the wearer. An arm strap member 16 secures extended portion 26 of padded region 24 to the arm of the wearer. A first end of torso strap 18 is attached to a first lower portion of the garment 10 and circumferentially surrounds the torso of the wearer where the second end of the torso strap 20 is removably connected via fastener 22 to a second lower portion of the garment 10. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that different materials and material thicknesses may be used for different portions of padded region 24.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a shooting garment in accordance with the present disclosure. The rear of shooting garment includes portion 28 that drapes over the corresponding side of the back of the garment wearer. The bottom portion 28 includes sleeve member 30 which at least a portion of the first end of strap member 18 extends through and second end of strap member 20 continues around the chest/torso of the wearer to fastener 22 (not shown). According to one embodiment of the disclosure, first end of strap member 18 slidably passes through sleeve member 30. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, first end of strap member 18 may be affixed or releasably fastened to sleeve member 30.

FIG. 4 is a rear sectional view of an example embodiment of the shooting garment of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, rear of shooting garment includes portion 28 that drapes over the corresponding side of the back of the garment wearer. Bottom portion 28 includes sleeve member 30 which at least a portion of the first end of strap member 18 extends through and second end of strap member to fastener 22. As shown, padded region 24 is connected to extended portion 26 via seam 32. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, first end of strap member 18 slidably passes through sleeve member 30. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, seam 32 hingably connects padded region 24 to extended portion 26.

While the same material may be used in padded region 24 and extended portion 26, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that different materials may be used. For example, one material, such as a gel may be used in padded region 24 and a second material, such as foam may be used in extended portion 26. Additionally, it will be appreciated that different material thicknesses may be used for each of padded region 24 and extended portion 26 areas as well.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112(f) for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words ‘means for’ together with an associated function.

The Abstract at the end of this disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

Therefore, at least the following is claimed:
 1. A shooting garment comprising: a first pad configured to cover a first area of a garment wearer; a second pad configured to cover a second area of the garment wearer; a first strap member configured to circumferentially secure the garment to the torso of the wearer; and a second strap member configured to secure the second pad to the arm of the wearer.
 2. The shooting garment of claim 1 wherein the first and second pads are hingably connected.
 3. The shooting garment of claim 1 wherein the second strap member further comprises a fastener.
 4. The shooting garment of claim 1 wherein the first and second pads are comprised of different materials.
 5. The shooting garment of claim 1 wherein the first strap member further comprises a fastener.
 6. The shooting garment of claim 1 wherein the first and second pads are comprised of materials of different thicknesses.
 7. The shooting garment of claim 1 wherein the first area comprises at least a portion of the shoulder of the wearer.
 8. The shooting garment of claim 1 wherein the second area comprises at least a portion of the arm of the wearer.
 9. The shooting garment of claim 1 wherein the second area comprises at least a portion of the upper arm of the wearer.
 10. A shooting garment for absorbing the shock of shooting for a wearer comprising: a front portion with respect to the wearer wherein the front portion includes a first padded area configured to cover at least a portion of the shoulder of the wearer and a second padded area configured to cover at least a portion of arm of the wearer; a rear portion with respect to the wearer wherein the rear portion is configured to extend partially down the back of the wearer; a first strap member configured to substantially circumferentially secure the front and rear portions of the garment around the torso of the wearer; and a second strap member configured to secure the second padded area to the arm of the wearer.
 11. The shooting garment of claim 10 wherein the first and second padded areas are hingably connected.
 12. The shooting garment of claim 10 wherein the first and second padded areas are comprised of materials of different thicknesses.
 13. The shooting garment of claim 10 wherein the first and second padded areas are comprised of the different materials.
 14. The shooting garment of claim 10 wherein the second strap member further comprises a fastener.
 15. A shooting garment comprising: a first pad configured to cover a first area of a garment wearer; a second pad configured to cover a second area of the garment wearer wherein the first pad is hingably connected to the second pad; a first strap member configured to circumferentially secure the garment to the torso of the wearer; a fastener connected to the first strap member configured to releasably connect a first and second end of the first strap member; and a second strap member configured to secure the second pad to the arm of the wearer.
 16. The shooting garment of claim 15 wherein the first and second padded areas are comprised of different materials.
 17. The shooting garment of claim 15 wherein the first and second padded areas are comprised of materials of different thicknesses.
 18. The shooting garment of claim 15 wherein the first area comprises at least a portion of the shoulder of the wearer.
 19. The shooting garment of claim 15 wherein the second area comprises at least a portion of the arm of the wearer.
 20. The shooting garment of claim 15 wherein the second strap member further comprises a fastener. 